A No-Panic Tutorial on Making Pie Crust from Scratch

Love to eat pies, but don't know how to make a pie crust from scratch? Well, don't you worry, as we'll help you along to bake the most perfect crust you have ever had. Here are some delectable pie recipes that you can easily whip up.

The pie has been existent since the ancient Egyptians. The first pies were made by early Romans. The early pies were predominantly meat pies. Pyes (pies) originally appeared in England during the twelfth century. The crust of the pie was known as "coffyn". The filling was more than the crust actually.

Pie came to America with the first English settlers. Over the years, it has acquired the status of "the most traditional American dessert", especially served during Thanksgiving.

Promises and pie-crust are made to be broken.― Jonathan Swift, Polite Conversation

Jonathan Swift couldn't have said it better. A broken promise is accompanied by guilt, but a broken pie crust, no, never guilt for sure but sheer joy and happiness. Doesn't it feel heavenly when you dig into a pie? Mmm! Can't you almost smell a pie crust being baked in an oven? Those who cannot bake the crust, don't fret. Here's a simple way of making it.

Irresistible Recipes Worth Trying!

Basic Pie Crust

Serves: 3 to 4Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Things Required

Flour: ¾ cup

Shortening: ¼ cup

Cold water: 2 - 3 tablespoons

Salt: ¼ teaspoon

Rolling pin

Extra flour for rolling

Directions

In cold water, add flour, salt, and shortening. Mix it thoroughly till it forms a ball that you can easily knead with your hands.

Put some flour on your rolling surface and rolling pin. This will make it easier for you to flatten the dough.

Put the ball of dough on the surface, and flatten it into an even disc. Let the width of the disc be around 10 - 12 inches. If you are not happy with the disc that you have made, you can easily turn it into a ball and start all over again.

Now, lift your flat dough, and place it in the pie dish. Be careful while lifting it, as the dough might get stuck to the surface. To prevent this from happening, you can put some more flour on the dough. Once you put it into the pie dish, make sure that it covers the entire bottom, sides, and the top lip of the dish.

Thereafter, you can put in your favorite filling. If you want a crust on top of your pie, then flatten some more dough, and put it on top of the pie dish. Ensure that the top and bottom layer are properly sealed.

Place this dish in the oven, and bake it at a temperature of 350ºF for 45 minutes or till it turns golden brown.

Serve and enjoy the compliments!

Chicken Pot Pie

Serves: 6 to 8 Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Things Required

Pie crust (unbaked and thawed if frozen): 1

A 10-inch cast-iron pan: 1

Egg (lightly beaten): 1

Chicken tenders (around 10 pieces): 1½ pounds

Low-sodium chicken stock: 2 cups

Frozen pearl onions: 1 cup

Frozen peas and diced carrots: 1 cup

Heavy cream: 1 cup

Extra-virgin olive oil: 3 tablespoons

All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons

Sweet paprika: ½ teaspoon

Dried sage: ½ teaspoon

Dried oregano: ¼ teaspoon

Garlic (minced): 2 cloves

Freshly ground black pepper

Salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Take the chicken tenders and sprinkle some paprika, sage, oregano, salt, and pepper, and keep it aside.

Next, take the cast iron pan, add some olive oil, and heat it over medium-high flame.

Once the oil is heated, add the seasoned chicken, and cook for about 4 mins. on either sides. Ensure that the chicken is cooked through.

Then, transfer the chicken to a plate, and rest it for a few minutes before chopping it into ½-inch cubes.

In the same pan, which has a little bit of the leftover oil, add peas, carrots, and onions. Mix well and finally add some salt and pepper.

Cook for about 4 to 7 minutes till the onions tenderize. Then, add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds till you can sense the aroma of the garlic added.

Next, slowly add in the flour, and stir gently until the flour mixes completely with the vegetables and juices.

Follow this by adding the chicken stock; reduce the flame to a simmer, and stir continuously until the mixture turns thick.

After the liquid has thickened, pour the heavy cream and stir further. At this stage, taste to check if the salt content is appropriate, else add if required.

Now, transfer the chicken back into the pan. Next, unfold the pie crust, and put it over the top of the filling.

Remember to tuck the excess edges inside the pan. Next, take the egg wash, and brush it evenly all over the crust.

Before placing it in the oven, lightly cut 4 vents on the top of the crust using a knife.

Bake for about 20 - 22 minutes until the crust turns golden brown in color.

Your chicken pot pie is ready to be devoured on!

Apple Pie

Serves: 5 to 6 Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

For the DoughThings Required

Flour: 2 cups

Ice water: 6 - 8 tablespoons

Butter: 6 tablespoons

Shortening: 6 tablespoons

Sugar: 1 tablespoon

Salt: 1 teaspoon

Directions

In a bowl, mix together flour, salt, and sugar.

After mixing it thoroughly, add butter, shortening, and ice water.

Keep it aside.

For the FillingThings Required

Tart apples (peeled): 5

Butter cubes: 4

Egg white: 1

Sugar: 1 cup

Flour: 2 tablespoons

Cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon

Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon

Cinnamon: ½ tablespoon

Salt: ¼ tablespoon

Directions

Slice the apples, and soak them in water mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This won't allow the apples to turn brown, which happens if cut apples are kept in open air for long.

In a large bowl, mix together sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and vinegar.

Now, add the apple slices into this mixture.

In the Final Step

Divide the dough into two parts, and roll each part into a flattened disc having a thickness of around ⅛th of an inch.

Place one part in the pie dish, and add the apple filling.

Add the 4 chunks of butter on top of the filling. This gives the filling an extremely rich flavor.

Next, place the other part of the dough on the top, and carefully seal the top and bottom crust.

Now, place your pie in the oven, and bake it at a temperature of around 400ºF for 50 - 60 minutes.

After you take the pie out, you can brush the surface with an egg white for a glossy effect.

The most scrumptious apple pie is ready to be had!

Pumpkin Pie

Serves: 6 to 8 Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Things Required

Egg yolks: 2

Pre-made basic pie crust: 1

Egg: 1

Packaged cream cheese, softened (8-ounce): 1

Canned pumpkin (mashed): 2 cups

Sugar: 1 cup

Half-and-half: 1 cup

Melted butter (½ stick): ¼ cup

Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon

Cinnamon (ground): ½ teaspoon

Ginger (ground), optional: ¼ teaspoon

Salt: ¼ teaspoon

Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.

Then, add the pumpkin and continue beating till the two ingredients are well-combined.

Next, add the sugar and salt, and mix until combined.

Now, take the egg and egg yolks and slightly beat them together in a separate bowl.

Then, add this egg mixture, half-and-half, and melted butter to the pumpkin mix, and beat until well-combined.

Finally, add the cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger, and beat until the ingredients assimilate well.

Next, slightly warm the pre-made pie crust. Afterwards, pour this filling into the warmed pie crust and bake for about 50 - 52 minutes or till the mixture at the center is set.

Finally, cool the pie to room temperature, cut into slices, and add generous amounts of whipped cream on top of each piece.

Your pie is now ready to serve and eat!

Those who are health-conscious or those who are under a strict diet, but at the same time cannot resist eating a pie, can opt for a whole wheat crust instead. It is a healthy as well as a delicious option. You can also learn more about how to make a pie crust using various books and online food sites to make the best pie using your own favorite stuffing.

Choose to surprise your family with a lip-smacking pie or just treat yourself on some lazy Sunday afternoon. Have your humble pie any which way you want to anytime, anywhere. Is that a pie that we can smell being baked? Yumm! Hope it is filled with our favorite stuffing!